Spring football gets underway today for the LSU Tigers. LSU heads into the spring, thin at linebacker, especially if the Tigers decide to play a three-four front. Tiger Rag Associate editor James Moran says incoming freshman, Michael Divinity, who has already enrolled in school, has a chance to earn himself playing time with a good spring…
cut 14 (17) “….young player”
On offense, LSU needs to find two new starting tackles as last year’s starters, Jerald Hawkins and Vadal Alexander are getting ready for the NFL draft.

Also, it’s been reported that LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has agreed to a three-year contract. Cameron will be entering his fourth season as LSU’s play caller.

The college football playoff has announced that this year’s semifinal games will be played again on New Year’s eve, despite concerns about low TV viewership. The game times have been moved up to two-pm and six pm central time. The Peach Bowl and the Fiesta Bowl are the sites for this year’s semifinal games. The Sugar Bowl will be played on Monday, January second.

It’s conference tournament week in college basketball…LSU plays Friday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the SEC tourney. Louisiana Tech plays Thursday afternoon as they are in the quarterfinals of the Conference USA Tournament as a four-seed. In the Sun Belt…UL Lafayette is the four seed, while ULM is a two-seed and will not play until Saturday in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tourney.

The LSU baseball team went 4-0 last week and remain ranked in the top 10 in the major college baseball polls. The Tigers next game is tomorrow night at home against Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs are 8-3 on the season after rallying back to defeat Valparaiso 7-5 yesterday.

In the biggest sports news of the day, New Orleans native Peyton Manning will announce his retirement today. The Denver Broncos confirmed the news that Manning, who played 18 seasons in the NFL, is calling it a career. The Newman alum quarterback played in four Super Bowls and got two titles with two franchises. Manning will retire as the NFL’s all-time leader in passing touchdowns, yards and quarterback wins. The news conference is slated for noon Monday.

Spring football kicks off today for the LSU Tigers. The Bayou Bengals will practice 14 times before the Spring Game, which will take place on April 16th at 3 PM in Tiger Stadium. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the biggest curiosity heading into spring is LSU’s new defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, who is expected to bring a different look to the Tigers defense…:
Cut 13 (19) “years past”

It was a nice weekend for college baseball. Louisiana Tech completed a comeback with a thrilling win over Valparaiso, 7-5 to take the series. The Bulldogs come to Baton Rouge to face LSU Tuesday.

The 16th ranked Ragin Cajuns shutout Sacred Heart for the second time on the weekend defeating the Pioneers 4-0 in Lafayette.

Southeastern got a 5-4 win over Tennessee.

McNeese State blew past Bradley 9-3 in a game where Cowboy Shane Selman became the first freshman in school history to hit for the cycle.

Grambling edged Southern 10-9. Tulane beat Pepperdine 4-3. Nicholls State fell to ACU 5-3.

ULM hosts Samford today at 1pm.

In college hoops Tulane fell to Temple 64-56 Sunday and the Owls picked up the American title. The LSU men’s basketball team finished the regular season with another loss Saturday and prepare for the quarterfinals of the SEC tournament Friday.

In the NBA, after a loss against the Jazz on Saturday, the Pelicans hosts the Kings tonight in New Orleans.

The LSU men’s basketball team left for Lexington today where they’ll play Kentucky in the final regular season game of the year tomorrow….
cut 30 (09) “…playing Kentucky”
That’s forward Ben Simmons. If Simmons can lead the Tigers to a victory and if Texas A-and-M losses to Vanderbilt, then LSU will have the number one seed in next week’s SEC Tournament.

The Sun Belt Tournament is in New Orleans next week. ULM has already nailed down the second-seed as they’ve won eight in a row. The Warhawks wrap up the regular season tomorrow afternoon by hosting Georgia State. UL Lafayette will host Georgia Southern tomorrow as the Cajuns are trying to keep the four-seed and a bye to the quarterfinals.

Northwestern State and Nicholls are fighting to get in the Southland Tournament. The Colonels host Southeastern Louisiana, while the Demons are at UNO.

The Saints have gone through their fair share of kickers in the last few seasons and the latest one they’ll try is veteran Josh Scobee. The 33-year-old who graduated from Louisiana Tech has a career 80-percent field goal percentage. He was cut by the Steelers after four games last year.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Fordham at Alex Box Stadium. Junior left-hander Jared Poche will start on the mound. He’s 1-0 with a 1.42 ERA, but the Lutcher native is looking to have more consistency with his fastball…
cut 29 (08) “….quality strikes”
First pitch is at 7 PM.

In other action this weekend…Southeastern Louisiana is at 16th ranked East Carolina. And the 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns host Sacred Heart.

Seven girls basketball teams will be crowned state champions over the next two days at the Top 28 Tournament in Hammond.

Former Louisiana Tech kicker Josh Scobee announced on his Facebook page that he’s signed with the Saints. The 33-year-old spent his first 11 seasons in the NFL in Jacksonville, but was traded to Pittsburgh before the start of the 2015 season. The Steelers released Scobee after he missed four of his first 10 field goal attempts.

The Sun Belt has released its football schedule for the 2016 season. UL Lafayette has one midweek game this year and that’s a home game against Appalachian State on October 12th, which is a Wednesday night. ULM will host the Cajuns on December third. The Warhawks will also host South Alabama, Texas State, Idaho and Southern for the season opener.

Injured Southern football player Devon Gales returns to Baton Rouge tomorrow after several months of rehab in Georgia for neck fractures he sustained in a game against the Bulldogs last September.

The Pelicans’ playoff hopes continue to fade away. They lost to San Antonio 94-86 last night. The game was tied at 86 with 2:42 left to play, but New Orleans failed to score a point the rest of the way. The Pels are now 6.5 games back of Houston for the final playoff spot and there’s 12 games left to play.

In college hoops, Derric Jean knocked down a shot from half-court at the buzzer to give Louisiana Tech a 97-945 win over Marshall. Jean’s game-winning shot made Sportscenter and Alex Hamilton should get some credit as well. The senior scored 38 points and had six assists in the victory.

In the Sun Belt…ULM won its eighth straight as the Warhawks defeated Georgia Southern 83-76. The Ragin Cajuns couldn’t hold on to a six-point lead with 5:26 to go and lost to Georgia State 72-69.

In the Southland…Southeastern won its fourth straight as they defeated UNO 61-60.

In the NBA it was another rough game for the Pelicans Thursday night as they fall to the Spurs at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans 94-86. Anthony Davis had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Pels, which dropped its third straight.

College hoops — the ULM men’s basketball is now 12-0 on the season in Monroe after winning their 8th in a row last night against Georgia Southern 83-76. It’s been nearly a decade since the Warhawks went undefeated on its home court.

Grambling State sailed past Alabama A&M last night 65-58 which puts an end to the Tigers’ 11 game losing streak.

Southeastern Louisiana edged UNO 61-60 in New Orleans. Louisiana Tech gets the win over Marshall 97-94. Northwestern State was beat up by Stephen F Austin, 95-55. Nicholls beats Central Arkansas 68-64. UL-Lafayette fell to Georgia State 72-69.

It’ll be a nice weekend for college baseball as games resume throughout the state today.

UL-Lafayette will have to vacate 22 football games between 2011 and 2014, as a result of a two-year NCAA Committee investigation into allegations a former coach faked ACT scores for recruits which means they weren’t eligible to play. The Ragin Cajuns can no longer claim victory in the games they played in. Jay Walker is the voice of the Ragin Cajuns…:
cut 1 (11) “penalties”
University officials say it’s disappointing but they’re glad this is behind them.

The Southern football player who suffered severe neck fractures in a game at Georgia in September, is scheduled to return home to Baton Rouge tomorrow morning. The University is planning an afternoon of activities honoring Devon Gales. Southern Sports Information Director Chris Jones says Gales’ resilience has been an inspiration for many…:
Cut 10 (07) “his rehab”
Since sustaining the injury, Gales has been at a rehabilitation center learning how to move around again.

UL-Lafayette will vacate 22 victories, on the football field between 2011 and 2014. It’s to comply with an NCAA investigation that determined a former assistant coach falsified ACT scores for five students, which means those students were ineligible to play. The voice of the Ragin Cajuns Jay Walker says the school accepts the penalties and will move on.
cut 15 (06) “move forward”
Two of the games vacated are victories the team had in the New Orleans Bowl in 2011.

In college baseball action last night…the LSU Tigers scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the third inning and beat the Nicholls Colonels nine to four. Louisiana Tech edged 12th ranked Arkansas three to two. Raphael Gladu drove in all three runs. McNeese State upset 16th ranked UL Lafayette seven to two.

ULM looks to extend its winning streak to eight games when they host Georgia Southern at seven PM at the Fant-Ewing Coliseum. It’s the final two games at home for the seniors and Coach Keith Richard says they want to send them out as winners…
cut 18 (10) “…like to be”
The Ragin Cajuns host Georgia State, while Louisiana Tech is at Marshall. The Bulldogs are in a three-way tie for second in the league standings and Coach Eric Konkol says his players understand how important this game is…
cut 30 (18) “…on Thursday”
Tip-off is at 6 PM.

It was a rough night for Anthony Davis, but despite that, the New Orleans Pelicans put on a good showing in the game against Houston — but the Rockets rallied to pick up a 100-95 victory. James Harden had 39 points and 11 rebounds for Houston. The Pels host the Jazz Saturday.

Former Saints safety Darren Sharper has reached a new plea deal in his federal drug and rape case. The agreement comes two weeks after U.S. District Judge Triche Milazzo rejected a prior plea deal. Sharper’s sentencing was set for Thursday but will take place June 16. A hearing for the new plea agreement will be March 17.

In college baseball, LSU picked up an early lead last night to get the win over Nicholls 9-4. Southeastern beat Tulane 13-4. McNeese State trumped UL-Lafayette 7-2. Louisiana Tech barely got by Arkansas, 3-2. Grambling piked up the victory over Alcorn State, 12-3. ULM fell to Valparaiso 9-6.

The ULM basketball team goes for its eighth straight win tonight as the Warhawks host Georgia Southern at Seven PM at Fant-Ewing Coliseum. ULM’s winning streak is the fifth longest in the nation and Coach Keith Richard talks about what has gone right…:
Cut 16 (19) “responded“
ULM has two more regular season games left and then they’ll compete in the Sun Belt Tournament as the number two seed.

Tulane fell to UCF last night 73-65 on the road. Today Louisiana Tech is at Marshall, Northwestern State hosts Steven F Austin. Nicholls travels to face Central Arkansas. UL-Lafayette hosts Georgia State, Grambling is at Alabama A&M. Southeastern is at UNO.

The LSU women’s basketball team advanced in the SEC tournament Wednesday. The Lady Tigers got by 12th seeded Alabama 58-49 and will play No. 5 seed Kentucky in the second round today.

The ULM football team has added Scott Stoker to the Warhawk staff. Coach Matt Viator said Stoker will be the program’s linebackers coach. Stoker comes to Monroe from UTEP where he served as defensive coordinator.

Fox Sports NFL reporter Alex Marvez reported earlier today that the Saints may stay in New Orleans for training camp, instead of holding practices in white Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. But hours after Marvez’s report, Pro Football Talk said the Saints ARE still moving forward with plans to go back to the Greenbrier. Nothing officials has been announced by the team.

The Baltimore Ravens have extended the contract of quarterback Joe Flacco. The three year agreement is worth $66.4 million dollars according to ESPN. Patriots QB Tom Brady reached an agreement earlier this week — leaving the question open. These numbers could be a starting point for Saints Quarterback Drew Brees’ contract extension which is expected to take place at some point this off season.

Pelicans star Anthony Davis says whether or not he’ll play tonight against the Rockets will be a game time decision. Davis has a sprained toe.

Tonight in Thibodaux, the sixth ranked LSU baseball team visits Nicholls State. The Tigers will have a new starting shortsop on the field. Kramer Robertson will be LSU’s third different starting shortstop this year and heard some encouraging words from the former LSU shortstop Alex Bregman…:
CUT 30 (12) “good advice”
Robertson moves from second to short, while Cole Freeman moves over to second after starting at short. First pitch is at 6pm.

ULM continues a two game series tonight in Monroe against Valparariso Val-pa-rai-so. The Warhaws one the first contest last night 12-9.

Bad news for the UL Lafayette baseball team. Cleanup hitter and senior outfielder Kyle Clement will reportedly miss a month after breaking a bone in his right forearm last night. He was hit by a pitch in the Cajuns seven to four win over over UNO. The Cajuns will travel to Lake Charles to face McNeese State tonight.

Fox Sports senior NFL reporter Alex Marvez is reporting the Saints are considering holding its training camp in New Orleans, instead of West Virginia. The team has held camp at the Greenbrier the last two seasons, but have back-to-back 7-and-9 finishes to show for it.

The sixth ranked LSU baseball team is at Nicholls State tonight. After losing a couple of games last week, Coach Paul Mainieri is moving second baseman Kramer Robertson to shortstop and shortstop Cole Freeman to second base….
cut 30 (03) “…several days”
Robertson has been LSU’s best defensive infielder.

Bad news for the UL Lafayette baseball team. Cleanup hitter and senior outfielder Kyle Clement will reportedly miss a month after breaking a bone in his right forearm last night. He was hit by a pitch in the Cajuns seven to four win over over UNO.

LSU won last night to keep its slim NCAA Tournament at-large berth chances alive. The Tigers defeated Missouri 80-71 as freshman Ben Simmons scored 22points. Simmons and the Tigers final regular season game is Saturday against Kentucky.

This afternoon, Louisiana Tech visits 12th ranked Arkansas. The Bulldogs defeated nationally ranked UL Lafayette last week.

The Sun Belt Conference has made the decision to move on without Idaho and New Mexico State. Those two football only schools will only compete in the Sun Belt for two more seasons. So starting in 2018, the Sun Belt will have 10 schools, with the addition of Coastal Carolina. Commissioner Karl Benson says one of the big questions facing the league is whether they’ll play an eight game conference schedule or nine…
cut 17 (17) “….2017”
Benson says it also remains to be seen if the Sun Belt will split into two divisions.

In what was most likely his final home regular season game, LSU freshman Ben Simmons scored 22 points in an 80-71 victory over the Missouri Tigers. Simmons also had 14 rebounds and seven assists. It was his 21st double-double of the season. Simmons is expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft.

In college baseball…16th ranked UL Lafayette scored four runs in the seventh inning and rallied past UNO 7-4. Joe Robbins hit his third home run and drove in two runs.

ULM came back from a six-to-nothing deficit in the 2nd inning and beat Valparaiso 18-9 in its home opener. Nathan Pugh drove in a three runs.

Tonight, the 6th ranked LSU Tigers visit Nicholls State, who is 4-5 on the season. Coach Paul Mainieri is shuffing his infield. Kramer Robertson moves from second to short, while Cole Freeman moves over to second after starting at short. And Louisiana Tech is at 12th ranked Arkansas for a 3:05 first pitch.

The Sun Belt Conference is removing New Mexico State and Idaho from its league. The two football-only members will leave the conference following the 2017 season. With the addition of Coastal Carolina, the Sun Belt will be a 10-member league in 2018. Sun Belt Commissioner Karl Benson likes the idea of a 10-team league and will discuss with coaches and ADs about adding a conference championship game….
cut 16 (21) “….nine conference games”

In other Sun Belt news…former Northwestern State Head Coach Scott Stoker is the new linebackers coach at ULM. And a racial discrimination trail between the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and their former head football coach Jerry Baldwin begins today. Baldwin, an african-american, was 6-27 when fired in 2001.